Have you ever played Pickleball? In the game, each player will require a pickleball paddle, which is bigger than a ping-pong paddle but smaller than a tennis racquet. Pickleball’s straightforward regulations are one of its best features. A total novice to the sport can enter the court and begin playing in a couple of minutes. If only the same were true when choosing the best pickleball paddles.
If you’ve been bitten by the pickleball bug, you know exactly what we are talking about. In this article, we are going to help you through the purchasing process of a Pickleball paddle. So, continue reading the article to know what key factors you should consider while choosing a Pickleball paddle so that you can choose the best pickleball paddle for yourself.
6 Factors To Consider While Choosing the Best Pickleball Paddle
The six most important aspects to think about before buying a pickleball paddle include your skill level, core material, core thickness, surface material, paddle weight, and grip size. Let’s explore each factor that will help you in choosing the best Pickleball paddle here in detail so that you can understand it in a better way:
- Your Skill Level
How well do you play pickleball? You probably already know if you’re a beginning, intermediate, or advanced player, even if you don’t.
To choose the best pickleball paddle, it is essential to understand your degree of expertise. A novice paddle will offer greater forgiveness on your shots and have a bigger sweet spot. Advanced paddles might be more difficult to operate efficiently since they are frequently built for power or control.
Select a pickleball paddle that fits your current skill level while also providing room for growth as you improve.
- Paddle Size
According to USAPA rules, the length of your pickleball paddle cannot be longer than 17 inches (43.18 cm), nor can it be wider than 24 inches (60.96 cm), including any edge guards and butt caps. To keep within the permitted total of 24 inches, a paddle that is 16 inches long can be a maximum of 8 inches broad, whereas a paddle that is 17 inches long can only be 7 inches wide.
Performance is greatly impacted by paddle size. You can hit the ball harder the longer the pickleball paddle is. The wider the paddle, the more maneuverability you’ll have and the more likely you are to hit it. The place in the middle of your paddle where you receive the most accurate response from your shot depends on the size of your paddle as well.
- Paddle Weight
Pickleball paddles can be classified based on weight, just like boxers. Pickleball paddles of various weights offer various benefits. Let’s have a brief look at the advantages of different paddle weights as mentioned below:
Light-Weight – Under 7.2 ounces
Paddles that are lightweight help you move about with ease and react quickly. If you’ve come to pickleball from playing ping-pong, a lightweight alternative might be right for you. It’s great for dinks and drop shots. The drawbacks include the inability to shoot with as much force and the increased arm and elbow vibrations that a lighter paddle will induce, which could lead to or aggravate injuries.
Mid-Weight – 7.3 to 8.4 ounces
When it comes to striking a balance between control and power, mid-weight paddles work best. Due to their superior all-around abilities, intermediate-level players tend to favor this paddle weight.
Heavyweight – 8.5 ounces and over
Paddles for heavy use can weigh between 8.5 and 14 ounces. The more weight behind the paddle, the more force you can apply to the ball. Additionally, using a heavier pickleball paddle allows you to hit the ball harder with less effort. Less control and mobility come with a heavier paddle, which is a drawback.
- Grip Size
Your pickleball paddle’s grip length or handle size will determine how much power and spin you can produce. The overall length and width of your paddle cannot, however, be longer than 24 inches, therefore handle size is typically limited to between 4.5 and 6 inches. A narrower paddle face as a result of a longer handle gives more space for error.
Some players prefer to use two hands on the handle on occasion, such as on backhand shots, thus they will want their handles to be a little longer. The handles on the Invikta and Epic Paddles are “long” at 5.25″, while the handle on the Mach6 (shown in the photo) is “extra long” at 5.875″.
- Paddle Materials
Pickleball paddles are made of three different materials: composite, graphite, and wood. The heaviest and frequently least expensive paddles are made of wood. They’re suitable for amateur or infrequent players. Pickleball paddles made of graphite are extremely robust and lightweight. Although they are the priciest alternative, serious players like them because of the unmatched action and endurance they provide.
When it comes to cost and performance, composite paddles strike a good balance. As a result of how simple it is to apply spin to the ball thanks to their textured surface, they are growing in popularity. Although composite pickleball paddles can be built from a variety of materials, they nearly always have a polymer core and a face made of carbon fiber or fiberglass.
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- Paddle Core
Your pickleball paddle’s core is often composed of Nomex, aluminum, or polymer (polypropylene) unless you choose a wooden paddle, in which case it is constructed entirely of wood. Pickleball paddle cores are typically shaped like honeycombs, a naturally occurring form pattern that has been imitated by man because of its extraordinary strength and lightness.
The material of this core component depends on the paddle you select. The most widely used substance is a polymer (basically plastic), which combines strength and durability with softness and flexibility. For those who prefer a very lightweight option, there are aluminum cores. However, its lightness significantly lessens the force of your shot. Therefore, if you frequently overshoot your shots and step out of boundaries, this may be the foundational information for you.
Nomex is a cool material that has long served as the standard for pickleball paddle cores. Nomex is brittle, and brittleness breeds power. a lot of power. Using a Nomex core to strike the ball feels strong and durable (and noisy!). The use of this kind of core has decreased over time, though, as polymer cores offer superior consistency, longevity, and control.
The final words
You’ve probably understood by now that there isn’t a single approach to creating the greatest pickleball paddles. And the reason for that is that every choice balances between two extremes. Each of the six factors listed above contributes to this delicate balancing act. Despite having a surface material that boosts power, you can decide to choose a weight that improves control at the expense of power.
Therefore, choosing the finest paddle involves balancing the paddle as a whole based on important factors rather than just any one feature. We hope you found this article informative and now you can also choose the best Pickleball paddle for yourself by considering the above-mentioned factors.